One-piece housing and backlight module having the same

ABSTRACT

A one-piece housing of a backlight module includes an integrally-formed frames and an engaging structure formed on the frames. The integrally-formed frames are constructed to define a plurality of accommodation spaces corresponding to the positions of separate display regions of a display device, and each of the accommodation spaces accommodates each set of the optical components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in part of application Ser. No.10/694,885, filed on Oct. 29, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a one-piece housing of a backlight module and,more particularly, to a one-piece housing of a backlight module used ina display device having separate display regions.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Recently, a display device having a plurality of separate displayregions, such as a double-sided LCD, becomes more popular.

In the conventional design of the aforesaid display device, a set ofoptical components, such as a light guide, a diffuser and a brightnessenhancing film, are combined with a LCD panel to constitute one of thedisplay regions of the display device, where each set of the opticalcomponents is accommodated in an individual housing. Hence, as multiplesets of optical components are provided to constitute their respectivedisplay regions, a plurality of separate housings, clasped or bound witheach other, are thus needed to result in a high manufacture cost.Further, the combination of separate housings in a backlight moduleaccompanying with excess joints may decrease the structural strength andproduction yield of the backlight module.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, an object of the invention is to provide a one-piece housing of abacklight module to accommodate all sets of optical components preparedfor separate display regions on a display device.

According to the invention, a one-piece housing of a backlight moduleincludes an integrally-formed frames and an engaging structure formed onthe frames. The integrally-formed frames are constructed to define aplurality of accommodation spaces corresponding to the positions of theseparate display regions, and each of the accommodation spacesaccommodates each set of the optical components.

Through the design of the invention, since a one-piece housing is usedto accommodate all sets of optical components prepared for separatedisplay regions, the manufacture cost is considerable reduced, thestructural strength are inherently enhanced, and excess joints are thuseliminated to result in a high fabrication yield. Further, all engagingstructures required for fixing all sets of optical components areintegrated in the one-piece housing to result in a fine alignment forthe assembly of a backlight module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view illustrating a backlight module of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a backlight module whereall optical components shown in FIG. 1 are assembled and accommodated ina one-piece housing of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of theone-piece housing according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a light guide used in thebacklight module of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view illustrating a backlight module of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, the backlight module 1 includes aone-piece housing 10, a first and a second light guides 20 and 30, areflector 40, a first and a second diffusers 50 and 60, a first and asecond brightness enhancement films (BEF) 70 and 80, and a light source90.

Referring to FIG. 1, the one-piece housing 10 is constructed byintegrally-formed frames that define a top accommodation space 11 and abottom accommodation space 12. The first light guide 20, the firstdiffuser 50, and the first brightness enhancement films 70 aresequentially placed on the one-piece housing 10 to fill the topaccommodation space 11. The inner edges of the one-piece housing 10surrounding the top accommodation space 11 are provided with a pluralityof notches 110, and the first light guide 20 has a plurality ofprotrusions 21, functioning as an engaging structure, formed on itssides. As a result, the first light guide 20 is firmly combined with theone-piece housing 10 when the protrusions 21 are inserted in the notches110.

On the other hand, the second light guide 30, the second diffuser 60,and the second brightness enhancement film 80 are sequentially placed onthe one-piece housing 10 to fill the bottom accommodation space 12. Theinner edges of the one-piece housing 10 surrounding the bottomaccommodation space 12 are provided with a plurality of notches 120, andthe second light guide 30 has a plurality of protrusions 31, functioningas an engaging structure, formed on its sides. As a result, the secondlight guide 30 is firmly combined with the one-piece housing 10 when theprotrusions 31 are inserted in the notches 120.

Further, a reflection plate 40 is arranged between the first light guide20 and the second light guide 30 in the one-piece housing 10. Thereflection plate 40 may be provided with reflection films on both itstop surface and bottom surface to aid in enhancing the diffusing effectof the light guide and eliminating residual shadows. Also, a coldcathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) 90 used as the light source of thebacklight module 1 is placed in the housing 10 adjacent to the lightguides 20 and 30.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a backlight module whereall optical components shown in FIG. 1 are assembled and accommodated ina one-piece housing of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first and the second sets of the opticalcomponents shown in FIG. 1, which are respectively accommodated in thetop accommodation space 11 and the bottom accommodation space 12, arerespectively combined with a first LCD panel 130 and a second LCD panel140 to form a top display region and a bottom display region. Hence, adouble-sided display device having display regions separately on each ofits opposite sides can be easily fabricated through the one-piecehousing 10 of the invention.

In the conventional design, different sets of optical componentsprepared for their respective display regions are accommodated inseparate housings, with the separate housings clasped or bound with eachother, to result in a poor structural strength and high manufacturecost. However, through the design of the invention, since a one-piecehousing is used to accommodate all sets of optical components preparedfor separate display regions, the manufacture cost is considerablereduced, the structural strength are inherently enhanced, and excessjoints are thus eliminated to result in a high fabrication yield.Further, all engaging structures required for fixing all sets of opticalcomponents are integrated in the one-piece housing to result in a finealignment for the assembly of a backlight module.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of theone-piece housing according to the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, theone-piece housing 200 is constructed to define a left accommodationspace 210 and a right accommodation space 220. A first light guide 230and a second light guide 240 are respectively accommodated in the leftand the right accommodation spaces to constitute separate displayregions on the same side of a display device. Hence, it is clearly seenthat the configuration of the inventive one-piece housing is notlimited, and rather it can be adapted to conform to the locations of thedisplay regions on a display device.

Further, the engaging structure formed on the one-piece housingincludes, but is not limited to, notches 110 shown in FIG. 1 or slotsshown in FIG. 3. Also, the location of the engaging structure formed oninner edges of the one-piece housing is not limited. For instance, theslot 250 a formed on one inner edge of the housing may have a differenthorizontal level compared to the slot 250 b formed on an opposite inneredge. In that case, the protrusions 270 a provided on the front side ofthe light guide 230 may protrude from its bottom, while the protrusions270 b provided on the rear side of the light guide 230 may protrude fromits top, so that the light guide may be affixed in the one-piece housingmore stably.

Referring to FIG. 4, the shape of the protrusions 310 a and 310 b may bea semicircle to facilitate a smooth connection of the light guide andthe one-piece housing. Note that the shape of the protrusion includes,but is not limited to, a rectangular shown in FIG. 3 or a semicircleshown in FIG. 4. It may be designed as any shape suitable for actualcircumstances. Also, the protrusions 310 a and 310 b provided on thesame side of the light guide 300 may locate at distinct horizontallevels to allow a more stable connection.

While the invention has been described by way of examples and in termsof the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it isintended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope ofthe appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

1. A one-piece housing for accommodating multiple sets of opticalcomponents in a display device having separate display regions, each setof the optical components being combined with a LCD panel to constituteone of the display regions of the display device, the one-piece housingcomprising: integrally-formed frames constructed to define a pluralityof accommodation spaces corresponding to the positions of the separatedisplay regions, each of the accommodation spaces accommodating each setof the optical components; and an engaging structure formed on theframes.
 2. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein theengaging structure formed on the frames comprises a plurality ofnotches.
 3. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein theengaging structure formed on the frames comprises a plurality of slots.4. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displayregions are formed on two opposite sides of the display device.
 5. Theone-piece housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each set of the opticalcomponents comprises a light guide, a diffuser, and a brightnessenhancing film.
 6. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe light guide has an engaging structure whose position corresponds tothat of the engaging structure formed on the frames.
 7. The one-piecehousing as claimed in claim 6, wherein the engaging structure of thelight guide comprises a plurality of protrusions formed on the lightguide.
 8. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 7, wherein each ofthe protrusions has a shape of a rectangular.
 9. The one-piece housingas claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the protrusions has a shape of asemicircle.
 10. The one-piece housing as claimed in claim 7, wherein theprotrusions provided on one side of the light guide locate at distincthorizontal levels.
 11. A back light module used in a display devicehaving separate display regions, comprising: integrally-formed framesconstructed to define a plurality of accommodation spaces correspondingto the positions of the display regions; a first engaging structureprovided on the frames; a plurality sets of optical components, each setof the optical components being accommodated in each of theaccommodation spaces; and a second engaging structure provided on theoptical components and coupled to the first engaging structure.
 12. Theback light module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display regionsare formed on two opposite sides of the display device.
 13. The backlight module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first engagingstructure comprises a plurality of notches or slots formed on theframes.
 14. The back light module as claimed in claim 13, wherein thenotches or slots provided on one side of one of the frames locate atdistinct horizontal levels.
 15. The back light module as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the second engaging structure comprises a plurality ofprotrusions formed on the optical components.
 16. The back light moduleas claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the protrusions has a shape of arectangular.
 17. The back light module as claimed in claim 15, whereineach of the protrusions has a shape of a semicircle.
 18. The back lightmodule as claimed in claim 15, wherein the protrusions provided on oneside of one of the optical components locate at distinct horizontallevels.
 19. The back light module as claimed in claim 11, wherein eachset of the optical components comprises a light source, a light guide, adiffuser, and a brightness enhancing film.
 20. The back light module asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the optical components further comprise areflection plate.